May, 2010

Mine Action intervention in Gornji Vuksic community 

In May 2010, the Norwegian People’s Aid - Mine Action Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina started with implementation of Mine Action activities within Integrated Community Mine Action Plan for the the high impacted community Gornji Vuksic, Brcko DBiH (ICMAP). Implementation of this project is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The BHMAC Regional Office in Brcko prepared the ICMAP project and process of its implementation. Trough the ICMAP project, six tasks have been selected for mine clearance and technical survey operations with a total areas of 602.957 sqm as priorities for mine action intervention in 2010. According to the BHMAC, it is estimated that there are still around 300 AP and 90 AT of landmines at 4,8 sqkm of suspected areas in the community.

The social, economic and environmental impact of landmines in community is severe. A lot of destroyed houses, loss of fertile agricultural land and blocked access to the electricity power are among the most serious effects for returnee and rural developing of community.

Mine clearance and technical survey operations of suspect areas will ensure safe use of arable land and reconstruction of devastated houses with aim to improve life conditions for people on this area and complete return of refuges and displaced people.

Octobar, 2009

The Norwegian People’s Aid continues with implementation of mine action activities in community of Brvnik

Second phase of the Integrated mine action intervention in Brvnik  

In august this year, NPA has started with implementation of demining activities trough the second phase of the Integrated community mine action project in community of Brvnik. Municipality and Government authorities assigned continuation of mine action intervention in Brvnik as priority for 2009 and asked NPA for continuation of mine action activities. Eight tasks have been selected with a total area of 439,316 m2, as priorities for mine action intervention in 2009.

The funds are provided thanks to German Federal Foreign Office, who also supported this project during 2008 trough the implementation of the first phase of the project. The immediate goal of NPA’s mine action in Brvnik is to create conditions for sustainable return, further recovery and normalization of living conditions through reduction of mine problem in community. Mine action operations will enable safe use of the land for agriculture production, as main income for local population.

The confirmation of justification of mine action activities conducted in 2008 is the fact that the released area is now in use by the local population for agricultural activities.

September, 2009

The Norwegian People’s Aid successfully carried out demining activities in the Sarajevo Canton, supported by Swiss FDFA

 In 2009 NPA demining activities in Sarajevo Canton are conducted in community Hladivode, municipality Stari Grad Sarajevo. The plan is to release 108.000 m2 of mine risk area trough the technical survey activities on the projects “Duboki potok 2” and “Duboki potok 3”. The operations are conducted with two NPA manual teams, supported by Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Swiss FDFA).

So far, 57,300 m2 of mine risk area is released, 3 x anti-personnel mines and 22 x ERW have been found and destroyed during the operations on the task “Duboki Potok 3”. In August demining operations started on the task “Duboki Potok 2”. The challenge for the teams is the fact that the task area is very steep and mostly covered by density vegetation, which significantly slows down the operations.

Community „Hladivode“is located only 4 kilometres east from downtown Sarajevo. The technical survey operations of these locations would create conditions for safe reconstruction, use and maintenance of power networks, secure reconstruction and building of new houses, land use and safe movement of the local population in this popular area.

August, 2009

Visit of the German FFO representatives

 At the beginning of August 2009, representatives of the German Federal Foreign Office (German FFO) visited NPA Mine Action Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina. German FFO is very important donor of NPA activities and thanks to their support NPA released 3.2 km2 of mine risk area in Bosnia and Herzegovina until the end of 2008. During the visit NPA introduced the German FFO delegation with achieved results on already implemented and ongoing mine action projects supported by German Federal Foreign Office in community of Brvnik, Omerbegovača and Krepšić. In community of Krepšić, where NPA implements integrated community mine action intervention supported by German FFO, delegation had opportunity to see operations in the filed conducted by NPA mechanical team with Mini MineWolf machine, manual deminers and mine detection dog teams. During the visit, delegation met the Major of municipality Šamac and Brčko District authorities who have introduced the visitors about mine situation and the importance of NPA mine action activities. The German FFO delegation assigned visit as successful and portended continuation of support to the NPA mine action activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

May, 2009

NPA completed demining activities in Avramovina, Gradacac municipality

In the period from March to May NPA mine action programme was implemented humanitarian demining projects in local communities Avramovina and Vuckovci in the territory of the Gradacac municipality.

With this mine action intervention the total surface of 194.254 square meters was released. During the demining operations 29 x AP mines, 1 x AT mine and 7 x ERW were located and destroyed.

Continuously during the demining operations mine risk education activities had been conducted, focused on all impacted groups of population.

Demining operations enabled using the land for agriculture, farming and fruit-growing the main sources of living for the population and also encouraged the return of people to their homes and land.

April - May, 2009

Integrated community mine action project, Krepšić Brčko DB&H

New challenges in mine action

Start of demining operations in this community was faced with unusually challenges. Prior to the start of demining operations NPA had to make access road to the demining tasks. This road has been build mutually by NPA mechanical team and Brčko Government support with construction material.  

 Additionally, NPA have faced the biggest challenge in terms of finding solution to reach demining tasks over the channel where the bridge was destroyed during the war.  Again, NPA operational staff found solution on the way to build the wooden bridge over the channel. In just one week NPA staff made the bridge and demining operations were enabled to continue.

April, 2009

Integrated mine action intervention in high impacted community of Krepšić, Brčko DB&H, supported by German FFO

Krepšić is located in the Brčko District B&H in the north-eastern part of the Bosanska Posavina region. According to the Integrated community mine action plan (ICMAP) prepared by BHMAC, the mine suspected areas in Krepšić cover 2,500,000 m2 or 22% of its territory.

The authorities of the Brčko District B&H assigned implementation of ICMAP Krepšić as a priority for 2009 and asked NPA for support in implementation of mine action activities.

In April 2009 NPA started with implementation of integrated community mine action intervention in Krepšić. Our plan is to release 626,000 sqm of mine risk area, on nine tasks selected as priorities for mine action intervention in 2009.

 Thanks to the support of German Federal Foreign Office implementation of this important project is enabled.

As a part of Integrated mine action intervention NPA will continually provide mine risk education, in order to reduce vulnerability and risky behavior of the impacted population within the community of Krepšić and vicinity communities.

The NPA ultimate goal in terms of the above mentioned mine action intervention is to create conditions for sustainable return, further recovery and normalization of living conditions through reduction of mine problem in community of Krepšić. Technical survey and mine clearance operations will enable safe use of the land for agriculture production, as main income for local population. Mine action activities will help to secure freedom of movement of the local population and those traveling between the two communities Krepšić and Vidovice.

March - April, 2009

MRE presentation in the Primary School of Zovik, Brčko District B&H

The implementation of Mine risk education activities (MRE) for a targeted group of children from first to eighth grade (I-VIII) was held on 18th March in Primary School of Zovik, Brčko District B&H. This high educated and interesting for the children multimedia presentation with the theme of mine risk was attended by 70 students from Zovik, Boće and Boderište regional communities exposed to mine risk.

All students with teachers and the principal as well, were delighted presented with animated film that will greatly contribute developing awareness of the presence and the danger of the land mines and other unexploded ordnance.

This is only the beginning in a series planned NPA‘s MRE activities in primary schools in the communities of NPA mine action operations in this year.

The German FFO supported mine action intervention in Omerbegovača

During the November and December 2008, NPA demining teams realized the technical survey project project “K.O. Omerbegovaca- Polje 5” on area of 60,960 sqm. The project “K.O. Omerbegovaca- Polje 5” was candidate by Brcko District Government as a high priority for 2008. The realisation of this project was supported by the donation of the German FFO.

Implementation of the project K.O. Omerbegovaca Polje 5 is continuation of NPA mine action intervention in community Omerbegovaca conducted in 2006, also supported by German FFO through the ITF.

A total area of 878,256 sqm is released in community Omerbegovaca, through the NPA mine action intervention in 2006 and 2008.

Mine action activities in community Omerbegovaca created safe environment for local population and enabled using of agricultural land.

NPA mine action intervention 2008 in community Brvnik is successfully completed

Mine action intervention 2008 in community Brvnik through the Project “Integrated community mine action plan Brvnik, Šamac” is completed by the end of November 2008.

Starting the April 2008 mine action activities (technical survey, mine clearance and mine risk education) were implemented within the ICMAP Brvnik, by NPA mechanical team with Minewolf and Mini Minewolf machine, manual teams, MDD team and TIA/MRE team. Project implementation was supported by German Federal Foreign Office. 

A total of 617,889 m2 of mine risk area has been released; 597,066 m2 of previously mine risk area is reduced (through technical survey activities identified as area without risk) and 20,823 m2 is cleared (through technical survey activities identified as mined area). During operations a total of 118 x anti-personnel mines and 45 x ERWs were located and destroyed.

NPA Task impact assessment/ mine risk education (TIA/MRE) team continuously conducted mine risk education and community liaison activities during the project implementation. NPA MRE/TIA team established good coordination and communication with community and municipality authorities and local population. During these activities 110 adult persons and 10 children were mine risk educated within community Brvnik.

At the end of the Project, the Mayor of Municipal Samac visited the Brvnik and expresses gratitude and appreciation for NPA humanitarian contribution to the community on behalf of local population and himself. All local Medias from this region were present at this occasion.

Implemented mine action intervention 2008 is significantly reduced negative high impact of mines in community Brvnik. Mine action activities are created better conditions for safe live and enabled use of agricultural land, as a primary source of income for local population.  Immediately after the demining operations were concluded, local owners started with ploughing and seeding until now unused land. Taking in consideration scope of the mine problem in Brvnik, even with implemented mine action intervention in 2008, residual mine risk area still covered around 1.6 km2 community area. Municipality and Government authorities assigned continuation of mine action intervention in Brvnik as priority for 2009.  

Mine-ex in visit NPA demining site in Sarajevo

In October 2008 NPA hosted representatives of Mine-ex organisation from Germany. This organisation assembled young people, who through the action “Compagnia-Compostelli“supported mine action activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year Mine-ex again gave support for mine action activities in Sarajevo, trough donation to the NPA Mine Action Programme.

During the visit  the representatives of this organization visited an active demining site  „Širokača-Curine njive rasadnik“ on the Olympic mountain Trebevic, where NPA Site manager introduced the guests with mine situation, demining activities  and explained the importance of the task for the whole community. 

Representatives of Mine-ex met with Programme Manager Mr. Darvin Lisica, who informed about NPA Mine Action Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Mr. Darvin Lisica emphasized importance of Mine-ex support and express gratitude on behalf of NPA and Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens.

Related link:  www.mine-ex.de                                                                                

Secretary General visited NPA Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina

NPA Delegation from Oslo, led by Mr. Petter Eide the Secretary General together with Regional Representative Mr. Emil Jeremic visited the NPA B&H Mine Action Programme, on 2nd and 3rd October 2008.

On 2nd October the delegation visited community Brvnik in municipality Šamac, where NPA currently conducts Integrated Community Mine Action Intervention and has been introduced with progress of ongoing mine action activities in this community. During the visit, delegation met with the Major of municipality Šamac who has informed about mine situation in municipality and the importance of NPA mine action activities. Same day the Delegation visited community Novalići in municipality Gradačac, where NPA in 1996 and 1997 conducted mine action and reconstruction projects.

Second day of the visit, Secretary General met with Mr. Željko Komšić Member of the Presidency Bosnia and Herzegovina, who has discussed whole mine situation in the country and the role of NPA Mine action program in B&H.

At the end of the visit the Secretary General appraised visit as successfully and share his expression with NPA employees.

At the end of the November, we have finished Projects Integrated Community Mine Action Plan (CIMAP) in Vidovice, Orašje. Project was supported by German Federal Foreign Office and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.A total of 581,117 sqm risk area has been released through technical survey and clearance activities conducted by manual teams, mechanical team with Mini MineWolf machine, MDD teams. Project covered demining activities on seven tasks in Vidovice Community and two tasks in Dubrave Community. Permanent marking, EOD operations, Mine risk education and community liasion activities have been conducted continuously during project implementation.

 With mine action intervention negative high impact of mines is reduced in community Vidovice. Implemented mine action activities has created main conditions for safe live, sustainable return to the communities of IDPS and refugees. Agricultural land, as a primary source of income for local population is released of mine risk. Immediately after the demining operations were completed, local owners started to use agricultural land what was by now unused.

Sarajevo Manual clearance Project for period April 2006-September 2007 is completed. The project was supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Trough this project in total 159,875 square metres of risk area is released on 9 tasks first category of priority in Canton Sarajevo. During Project implementation 73 x anti-personnel mines, 4  anti-tank mines and 29 x  UXOs have been founded and destroyed. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs going on with support to NPA demining activities in Sarajevo canton for next year

   date - 12.September.2007

His Excellency Rolf Lenz, Swiss Ambassador, and his deputy Mr. Gilles Roduit, visited Norwegian People’s Aid Mine action programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12th September 2007. This visit was due donation of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs which has been supporting NPA clearance activities in Sarajevo canton by two manual teams, continually since 1999.

NPA Management introduced delegation with NPA demining activities, achived results and  plans as well. His Excellency Swiss Ambassador and his Deputy have been introduced with manual demining procedures, through the visit to NPA demining task “MZ Sirokaca (Curine njive-rasadnik) in Sarajevo Stari Grad Municipality, which is on of the hardest and most challenges manual clearance task.  Same day delegation visited NPA Global Training Center (GTC), where they could could see the way how demining dogs are trained.

Ambassador appraised visit as very successfully and share his expression with NPA employees. 

date - 22.December.2006

At the end of the demining season 2006, NPA Mine Action Programme in Bosnia and  Herzegovina successfully finalized one more  Community Integrated Mine Action Project CIMAP - Grebnice (BiH North). For the period of April-November 2006, 11 different clearance and technical survey tasks, delegated by BHMAC, were demined by manual deminers, machines and mine detection dogs.

The project was level I category priority with total of 90.714 m² cleared and 825.168 m² technical surveyed surfaces (915.883 m² total). Trough implementation of Integral concept for CIMAP projects, additionally 809.000 m2 of level II and III category land has been permanently marked with 80 self standing mine signs and 162 people educated on mine danger within the community. During the demining operations 126 mines and 120 unexploded objects were located and destroyed. Serious challenge for team on the ground was the fact that region was contaminated by deadly PROM (bounding) mines, detonated by mechanical preparation machines 24 times. 

Grebnice community was affected with large number of unexploded objects and mines due to the fact that confrontation line was passing trough the village and affecting daily life's of people by blocking access to the houses and land. The agriculture was always the primary source of income for the local population before the conflict in this part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina. Immediately after the demining operations were concluded, local owners started with plowing and seeding what was by now unused land. Just with the begging of 2007, local community will have chance to use full potential of the land that was inaccessible for last 15 years, if time of the war in B&H is considered.

At the end of the project, the representatives of local municipality invited the management of NPA, Mr. Per Breivik and Mr. Darvin Lisica to express their gratitude and appreciation for NPA contribution to the local community.

Beside this project, NPA Programme in BiH will continue with the other large humanitarian demining projects in the regions of Brcko, Posavina Canton, Tuzla Canton, Sarajevo with continuation of support for BHMAC, EUFOR-NATO and Civil protection on the projects of general survey and unexploded objects disposal. This year was one more with over than 1.500.000 m² of demined land, 450 mines and 156 uxo’s removed and destroyed trough out activities of humanitarian demining, EOD disposal and assistance to other organizations.

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NPA operations in high contaminated area of Orasje (Grebnice TAP)

date - 05.July.2006

33 mines and 4 uxo's have been  located and destroyed since the beginning of operations in Grebnice - Orasje (City on the North border of Bosnia). This is probably one of the most challenging clearance tasks that NPA programme has faced within last 10 years of activities in BiH. The region has the high contamination of deadly PROM mines with additional problem of relatively large local community living within the close distance form the minefield. By now 25.935 m2 were cleared and the plan is to continue with operations until the risk for the community is reduced to acceptable level.

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Work in community, start of the new task in Nisici (UXO problem)

date - 13.july.2005

Opening of the new task in Nisici (region Sarajevo-Ilijas) was very intensive both for "Community Liaison" and "EOD" teams. After preliminary survey, it was discovered that community have reasonable high UXO contamination problem. Together with local representatives, NPA staff has organised successful day for UXO gathering and on that day EOD team has compiled 15 unexploded objects. 

This integral approach is one of the most important developments in mine action in Bosnia  today. Initiated by BiH MAC and implemented by mine operators, was finally the moment where all aspects of mine action were integrated and coordinated. NPA programme was one of the first implementing this approach for to achieve the best impact for communities were operations are conducted.

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NPA & BiH MAC cooperation on "General Survey" projects

date - 4.july.2005

With the beginning of 2005 demining season, NPA BiH has launched "general survey cooperation project" with BiH MAC. First faze of the plan, integration and training of four NPA surveyors in to the structures of Brcko District BiH MAC has been accomplished successfully. Already the team is engaged in marking and data collecting operations in the filed.

The plan for second faze is to educate more surveyors for other MAC regional centers in Bosnia (Sarajevo, Mostar, ..) and crucial fact is that NPA is the first NGO to get authorisation to perform "general survey" projects beside BiH MAC as a national authority.

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